In biblical symbolism, sheep often represent innocence, vulnerability, and the followers of God, reflecting the relationship between the shepherd (God) and His people. Dreaming of sheep may signify a need for guidance, a reminder of one’s dependence on divine protection, or a call to nurture spiritual growth.
Scripture
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Biblical Meaning of Sheep in Dreams
In biblical symbolism, sheep are frequently viewed as representations of innocence, obedience, and the collective followers of God, illustrating the intimate relationship between the shepherd and His flock. For instance, Psalm 23:1 states, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” highlighting God’s role in providing care and guidance. Sheep are seen as vulnerable creatures that rely heavily on their shepherd for protection against danger, paralleling humanity’s need for divine guidance in overcoming life’s challenges. When someone dreams of sheep, it may suggest a yearning for God’s leading, an acknowledgment of one’s own limitations, or a recognition of the community of believers striving for spiritual fulfillment.
Moreover, Jesus often referred to Himself as a shepherd in John 10:14, saying, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” Dreams involving sheep may also evoke a call to discern one’s own role within the flock—whether as a follower in need of guidance or as a leader responsible for nurturing others’ faith. Additionally, the imagery of sheep offers reflection on themes of sacrifice and redemption, especially in the context of the Lamb of God (John 1:29), symbolizing purity and the ultimate offering made for humanity’s sins. Thus, sheep in dreams can represent not only a personal journey towards faith and dependence on God but also a broader reminder of the communal aspect of Christianity, where individuals are called to support and guide one another on their spiritual paths.
In the context of dreams, sheep can also symbolize the concept of sacrifice and the call to selflessness, resonating with the overarching biblical theme of servitude. In the Old Testament, the sheep were often used as offerings, a practice that delineated the significance of imbuing one’s life with purpose and the call to atone for one’s shortcomings. When dreaming of sheep, an individual might be confronting their own need for atonement or an internal struggle with the notion of yielding oneself for a higher cause. This dream imagery can serve as a profound reminder of the sacrifices made for the benefit of the community and the weight of personal accountability in relationships.
Additionally, the dream of sheep can evoke reflections on harmony and unity within the body of believers. The metaphor of sheep gathering in a pasture underscores the beauty of fellowship, each member contributing to the larger collective. This can signify a time of seeking belonging or reinforcing bonds with one’s community, particularly in times of unrest or confusion. Therefore, dreaming of sheep may be an invitation to assess one’s connectedness with fellow believers and the role they play in maintaining spiritual harmony, encouraging a deeper exploration of communal faith practices and the essential support systems that nurture individual and collective spiritual growth.
Symbol of Innocence and Purity
In biblical contexts, sheep often represent innocence and purity. Dreaming of sheep may indicate a desire for simplicity and a return to a more innocent state of being. This symbolism can reflect a longing for peace and tranquility in one’s life, suggesting that the dreamer seeks to escape the complexities and challenges of the world.
Representation of Community and Belonging
Sheep are also seen as social animals that thrive in flocks, symbolizing community and belonging. In dreams, sheep may signify the importance of relationships and the need for connection with others. This could indicate that the dreamer is seeking support from their community or is reflecting on their role within a group, emphasizing the value of unity and collective strength.
Guidance and Leadership
In biblical narratives, sheep are often associated with guidance and leadership, as shepherds lead their flocks. Dreaming of sheep may suggest a need for guidance in one’s life or a call to take on a leadership role. This symbolism can reflect the dreamer’s journey toward finding direction, whether through seeking wisdom from others or stepping into a position of responsibility for themselves or others.
How to Embrace Innocence and Purity in Faith
Embracing innocence and purity in faith is a beautiful journey that invites us to return to the simplicity of childlike trust in God. As we navigate the complexities of life, it’s essential to cultivate a heart that seeks genuine connection with our Creator, much like a child who approaches a loving parent with open arms and unguarded joy. Start by immersing yourself in Scripture, allowing the words of Jesus, who said, “Let the little children come to me” (Matthew 19:14), to resonate deeply within you. Reflect on the beauty of forgiveness, both in giving and receiving, as it cleanses our hearts and restores our innocence. Surround yourself with a community that uplifts and encourages purity of thought and action, and engage in practices like prayer and meditation that help quiet the noise of the world. Remember, embracing innocence doesn’t mean ignoring the realities of life; rather, it’s about choosing to see the world through the lens of faith, hope, and love, trusting that God’s grace is sufficient for all our shortcomings.
Bible References to Sheep in Dreams:
John 10:1-18: 1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.”
2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.
6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,
15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.
18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
Matthew 18:10-14: 10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
11 For the Son of Man came to save the lost.
12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?
13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.
14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Luke 15:3-7: 3 So he told them this parable:
4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?”
5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’
7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Ezekiel 34:11-16: 11 “For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.
12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.
13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country.
14 I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel.
15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God.
16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.
Isaiah 53:6-7: 6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
Jeremiah 23:1-4: 1 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord.
2 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the Lord.
3 Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply.
4 I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord.
1 Peter 2:24-25: 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Matthew 25:31-46: 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.
32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.
34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.
37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
38 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?
40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.
44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’
45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’
46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
Hebrews 13:20-21: 20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,
21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Zechariah 10:2-3: 2 For the household gods utter nonsense, and the diviners see lies; they tell false dreams and give empty consolation. Therefore the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd.
3 “My anger is hot against the shepherds,
and I will punish the leaders;
Micah 2:12-13: 12 I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob; I will gather the remnant of Israel; I will set them together like sheep in a fold, like a flock in its pasture, a noisy multitude of men.
13 The breaker goes up before them;
they break through and pass the gate,
going out by it.
Their king passes on before them,
the Lord at their head.
Genesis 31:38-42: 38 These twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, and I have not eaten the rams of your flocks.
39 What was torn by wild beasts I did not bring to you. I bore the loss of it myself. From my hand you required it, whether stolen by day or stolen by night.
40 There I was: by day the heat consumed me, and the cold by night, and my sleep fled from my eyes.
41 These twenty years I have been in your house. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times.
42 If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been on my side, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God saw my affliction and the labor of my hands and rebuked you last night.”
Numbers 27:15-17: 15 Moses spoke to the Lord, saying,
16 “Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation”
17 who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.”
1 Samuel 17:34-37: 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock,
35 I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him.
36 Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.
37 And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.